Medical connector apparatus

ABSTRACT

A medical connector apparatus that includes: (1) a first mating connector having a first conductive portion, (2) a second mating connector having a second conductive portion for electrically coupling to the first conductive portion, and (3) a housing unit with an interior chamber housing the second mating connector. In one embodiment of the invention, two apertures extend between the interior chamber and the housing unit&#39;s exterior. In another embodiment of the invention, the first mating connector further has a wiping portion for cleaning a portion of the second mating connector adjacent to the second conductive portion. 
     In still another embodiment of the invention, the housing chamber further has a light source positioned near the aperture through which the first mating member enters to electrically couple the first and second conductive portions. In this embodiment, the first mating connector has a light covering portion for covering the light source when the first and second conductive portions couple. The embodiments of the medical connector apparatus described above can serve as electrode connectors for all types of defibrillators.

This is a continuation of copending application Ser. No. 09/281,709filed on Mar. 30, 1999.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Today, approximately three hundred and fifty thousand Americans die eachyear due to cardiac arrest. Eighty percent of these fatalities are dueheart arrhythmia caused by ventricular fibrillation. Typically,ventricular fibrillation is treated by using a defibrillator to apply anelectric shock to a patient's heart.

Three kinds of defibrillators are used by emergency medical personnelfor applying a defibrillating shock to a patient suffering from cardiacarrest. These are: (1) manual defibrillators which charge and delivershocks to patients solely in response to the user's request; (2)automatic defibrillators which charge and deliver shocks to patientssolely in response to ECG data collected from the patient and analyzedby the defibrillator; and (3) semiautomatic defibrillators which analyzea patient's ECG data to advise on the delivery of shocks, but awaitshock delivery requests from their users before deliveringdefibrillating shocks.

Prior art defibrillators are quite complex and cumbersome. Consequently,in the past, defibrillators have usually been used only by emergencymedical personnel with considerable training. Moreover, prior artdefibrillators typically produce very low survival rates, because oftenquite a bit of time elapses before a trained medical operator (neededfor applying the defibrillating shock) reaches the victim of cardiacarrest to apply a defibrillating shock. This poor response time greatlyreduces the utility of the defibrillating shock since the chances ofsurviving a cardiac arrest exponentially decrease with time elapsedafter the arrest.

Thus, in order to increase the utility of defibrillators, and therebyincrease the number of lives saved, the defibrillator deployment timeneeds to be reduced. The defibrillator deployment time can be reduced bydesigning a defibrillator that can be used by non-medical personnel(such as police officers, fire fighters, teachers, supervisors, orcommon lay people) who can quickly reach victims of cardiac arrests inorder to apply defibrillating shocks.

Such a defibrillator, that can be used by non-medical personnel, has tobe light-weight and portable, so that it can be quickly carried to avictim of cardiac arrest. Moreover, the operation of this type ofdefibrillator has to be simple so that an inexperienced operator couldeasily use it to apply a defibrillating shock, even if the operator usesthe equipment infrequently. Several such simple and portabledefibrillators are disclosed in: U.S. patent application entitled“Defibrillator With Self-Test Features,” filed on May 10, 1994, andhaving the Ser. No. 08/240,272, and U.S. patent application entitled“Electrotherapy Method and Apparatus,” filed on Apr. 4, 1994, and havingthe Ser. No. 08/227,553. The disclosures of these patent applicationsare incorporated herein by reference.

One manner of simplifying the operation of a defibrillator (so as toallow a non-medical operator to easily use it) is to simplify the act ofconnecting an electrode pad cable to the defibrillator. A typicaldefibrillator has (1) an energy source that provides the motive powersource for delivering a defibrillating shock; (2) an electrode connectorthat is housed in the defibrillator and that mates to the electrodeconnector of the electrode pad cable; and (3) a controller for actuatingthe defibrillator to deliver a defibrillation shock from thedefibrillation energy source to the patient via the mated electrodeconnectors and electrode pads.

Non-medical personnel, who do not frequently operate defibrillators, mayexperience difficulties in connecting prior art electrode pad cables toprior art defibrillators, because these defibrillators do not providesufficient guidance for rapidly establishing such connections.Consequently, there is a need in the art for a defibrillator connectorapparatus that provides guidance for connecting the defibrillatorconnectors.

Moreover, the design of this defibrillator connector apparatus shouldminimize the effect of environmental residue on the operation of thisapparatus. Environmental residue is material (such as blood, vomit,dirt, water, etc.) that exists in the environment in which thedefibrillator is operated. While in storage or in standby mode, theconnector apparatus of a defibrillator might accumulate residue, whichwould threaten the electrical or mechanical integrity of the connectionduring an emergency.

Alternatively, during actual use, residue may be unavoidably introducedinto the connector apparatus, which would thereby result in the loss ofprecious time as the connectors would have to be cleaned or replaced.Consequently, there is a need in the art for a connector apparatus thatenables residue to be easily and quickly removed from it duringemergency and routine maintenance operations of the defibrillator.Ideally, the connector apparatus should clean itself when the connectorsmate. In sum, there is a need in the art for a defibrillator connectorapparatus that can be easily operated by non-medical personnel under allenvironmental conditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a medical connector apparatus that includes: (1) afirst mating connector having a first conductive portion, (2) a secondmating connector having a second conductive portion for electricallycoupling to the first conductive portion, and (3) a housing unit with aninterior chamber housing the second mating connector. In one embodimentof the invention, two apertures extend between the interior chamber andthe housing unit's exterior. In another embodiment of the invention, thefirst mating connector further has a wiping portion for cleaning aportion of the second mating connector adjacent to the second conductiveportion.

In still another embodiment of the invention, the housing chamberfurther has a light source positioned near the aperture through whichthe first mating member enters to electrically couple the first andsecond conductive portions. In this embodiment, the first matingconnector has a light covering portion for covering the light sourcewhen the first and second conductive portions couple. The embodiments ofthe medical connector apparatus described above can serve as electrodeconnector apparatus for all types of defibrillators.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features of the invention are set forth in the appendedclaims. However, for purpose of explanation, several embodiment of theinvention are set forth in the following figures.

FIG. 1 presents one embodiment of the medical connector apparatus of theinvention.

FIG. 2 presents a bottom side view of a cable connector of the medicalconnector apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2A presents a bottom side view of another cable connector of themedical connector apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 presents a perspective view of the cable connector of FIG. 2inserted in a housing unit of the medical connector apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 presents a back side view of the cable connector of FIG. 2inserted in a housing unit of the medical connector apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 presents a cross-sectional view, taken along section B—B of FIG.4, of the cable connector partially inserted in the housing unit of FIG.1, where section B—B runs through the center of a pin of a housedconnector and a socket of the cable connector.

FIG. 6 presents a cross-sectional view, taken along section A—A of FIG.4, of the cable connector partially inserted in the housing unit of FIG.1, where section A—A runs through a plane of symmetry of the cableconnector and the housing unit.

FIG. 7 presents another embodiment of the medical connector apparatus ofthe invention.

FIG. 8 presents a cable connector of the medical connector apparatus ofFIG. 7.

FIG. 9 presents a sectional view of a housing unit and a housedconnector of the medical connector apparatus of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 presents a perspective view of the housing unit of the medicalconnector apparatus of FIG. 7.

FIG. 11 presents a cross sectional view of a coupling between a housedconductive ring and resilient contact arcs of the housed connector ofFIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, numerous details are set forth for purposeof explanation. However, one of ordinary skill in the art would realizethat the invention may be practiced without the use of these specificdetails. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shownin block diagram form in order not to obscure the description of theinvention with unnecessary detail.

The invention is a medical connector apparatus that includes: (1) afirst mating connector having a first conductive portion, (2) a secondmating connector having a second conductive portion for electricallycoupling to the first conductive portion, and (3) a housing unit with aninterior chamber housing the second mating connector. In one embodimentof the invention, two apertures extend between the interior chamber andthe exterior of the housing unit. Through one aperture, the first matingconnector is inserted into the interior chamber to electrically couplethe first and second conductive portions.

Moreover, the second aperture is used as an outlet for environmentalresidue in the interior chamber. Specifically, when the first matingconnector is inserted through the first aperture, environmental residueis forced out of the interior chamber through this second outlet,because of the depression force created by the insertion of the firstmating connector. In addition, the existence of these two aperturesfacilitates the cleaning of the interior chamber.

In another embodiment of the invention, the first mating connectorfurther has a wiping portion for cleaning a portion of the second matingconnector adjacent to the second conductive portion. In turn, thiscleaning enables a better connection to be established between the firstand second conductive portions. This cleaning operation also improvesthe insulation between the conductive portions or between a conductiveportion and an operator, by wiping away environmental residue that couldestablish an electrical path between the conductive portions or betweena conductive portion and an operator.

In still another embodiment of the invention, the housing chamberfurther has a light source positioned near the aperture through whichthe first mating member enters to electrically couple the first andsecond conductive portions. In this embodiment, the first matingconnector has a light covering portion for covering the light sourcewhen the first and second conductive portions couple. The embodiments ofthe medical connector apparatus described above can serve as electrodeconnectors for all types of defibrillators.

A. Pin and Socket Embodiment

FIGS. 1-6 set forth one embodiment of the invention, which can be usedas an electrode connector apparatus for all types of defibrillators. Asshown in FIG. 1, medical connector apparatus 100 includes (1) a cableconnector 105 having two conductive sockets, (2) a housed connector 110having two conductive pins for coupling to the two conductive sockets,and (3) a housing unit 115 having an interior chamber 120 for housingconnector 110.

1. Two Socket Cable Connector

Cable connector 105 includes two insulated electrical conductors 125,two conductive sockets 130, two silicone tubes 135, a rigid innerencasing shell 140, and an elastic outer encasing shell 145. Whenmedical connector apparatus 100 is used as a defibrillator electrodeconnector apparatus, electrical conductors 125 connect to two electrodepads (not shown). In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, one end of eachelectrical conductor 125 connects to one of the two conductive sockets130. Specifically, each conductive socket 130 is crimped onto the innerconductive wire of one of the two electrical conductors 125, in order toestablish an electrical connection between the socket and the electricalconductor.

Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, each socket is then surrounded by asilicone tube 135. This silicone encasing provides a compressiblecushion to allow the socket to expand over the mating portion, when thecable connector couples to the housed connector. In turn, silicone tubes135, sockets 130, and the connector end of the electrical conductors areencased in rigid encasing shell 140.

This shell is a non-conductive polymer shell (such as a nylon orpolyester shell) that is injection molded around the tubes, sockets, andconductors. This shell has three encasing portions 150, 155, and 160,and one supporting portion 165. As further shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, thefirst encasing portion is molded around the connector end of electricalconductors 125 and the crimped end of sockets 130. Each of the other twoencasing portions encases a socket and its corresponding silicone tube.The three encasing portions insulate the two conductive paths (each ofwhich is formed by an electrical conductor and a socket) from each otherand from a user.

As further shown in FIG. 1, rigid encasing shell 140 also includessupporting portion 165, which extends downwardly from the second andthird encasing portions. This supporting portion serves as a rigidsupport for the center of elastic encasing shell 145, which is moldedaround the rigid encasing shell 140. Elastic shell 145 has threeencasing portions 170, 175, and 180, a flange 185, and a channel 190.The elastic shell's first encasing portion 170 surrounds first encasingportion 150 of rigid shell 140. As shown in FIG. 1, encasing portion 170has inward bends 195 for enabling a user to grip and hold cableconnector 105.

In addition, elastic shell 145 includes second and third encasingportions 175 and 180, which respectively surround second and thirdencasing portions 155 and 160. Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5,second and third encasing portions 175 and 180 extend downwardly belowsecond and third encasing portions 155 and 160 to define two chambers200. Each of these chambers is axially aligned with one socket and itscorresponding silicone tube, so that, when the cable connector isinserted into the interior chamber of the housing unit, a pin projectsthrough the chamber to reach its corresponding socket.

Furthermore, channel 190 is defined on the front side of elastic shell145 between second encasing portion 175 and third encasing portion 180.This channel (which is supported by supporting portion 165) prevents thesecond and third encasing portions 175 and 180 from loosely hanging offthe end of second and third encasing portions 155 and 160. In addition,as further discussed below, a light pipe housed in housing unit 115slides on this channel when cable connector 105 is inserted into theinterior chamber of the housing unit.

Elastic shell 145 further includes flange 185 between first encasingportion 170 and second and third encasing portions 175 and 180. As shownin FIG. 2, on the front side of elastic shell 145, flange 185 has aprotruding semi-circular element 205. This element, along with theportion of the flange that is adjacent to it, covers a light pipe housedin housing unit 115, when cable connector 105 is inserted into theinterior chamber of the housing unit.

In one embodiment of the invention, elastic shell 145 is anon-conductive thermoplastic elastomer, whose elasticity is between 40to 90 durometers on the Shore A scale. This elasticity improves thedurability of cable connector 105. In addition, the elastic nature ofthe walls of chambers 200 facilitates the removal of environmentalresidue from these chambers.

Finally, since elastic shell 145 is molded onto rigid shell 140,flexible plastic wiping rings can be easily produced in each chamber200, during the molding. FIG. 2A sets forth one embodiment of thesewiping rings 210. Each ring, in turn, provides a wiping action whichcleans the surrounding insulating column of the pin that projectsthrough the ring's chamber, when the cable connector is inserted intothe interior chamber.

2. The Housing Unit and Housed Pin Connectors

Medical connector apparatus 100 also includes a housing unit 115 thathouses, in an interior chamber 120, a housed connector 110. As shown inFIGS. 1 and 5, housed connector 110 includes two conductive pins 215,which extend vertically upwards from the bottom end of the interiorchamber. The housed connector also includes two insulating columns 235,each of which surrounds a pin so as to leave only a portion of the pinexposed.

Housing unit 115 also has two apertures that extend between interiorchamber 120 and the exterior of the housing unit. First aperture 220 isformed on the top side of housing unit 115. Through this aperture, cableconnector 105 is inserted into the interior chamber to couple thesockets and the pins.

Second aperture 225, on the other hand, is formed on the lower back sideof the housing unit. As shown in FIG. 3, this second aperture serves asan outlet for environmental residue in the interior chamber.Specifically, when the cable connector is inserted through the firstaperture, environmental residue is forced out of the interior chamberthrough this second outlet, because of the depression force created bythe insertion of the cable connector.

In addition, the existence of these two apertures facilitates thecleaning of the interior chamber. In particular, this additionalaperture allows an easy access for cleaning swabs, and provides anoutlet for flushing fluids used during routine cleaning and maintenanceoperations. The two apertures are arranged such that liquids cannotaccumulate in the housing unit. In other words, irrespective of theorientation of the housing unit, liquids (such as blood, vomit, rain,etc.) may drain out of the interior chamber through one of the outlets.

On its front side, housing unit 115 includes a light pipe 230, whichextends vertically upward from the bottom end of the interior chamber.An LED is embedded in this light pipe. This LED is used to direct theoperator to insert the cable connector into the interior chamber, duringthe operation of the medical device (e.g., the defibrillator) to whichmedical connector apparatus 100 is attached. The operator's attentionmay be directed to the light at the appropriate time by other displayson the medical device and/or by voice prompts from the device. The lightmay also blink or flash to attract the operator's attention.

As mentioned before, the semi-circular, light covering portion 205 offlange 185 covers this light pipe, when pins 215 enter sockets 130. Inother words, the LED and its corresponding pipe are also used to informan operator that an electrical connection has been established betweenpins 215 and sockets 130. When properly inserted, light covering portion205 fully obscures the top of the light pipe to signal the completion ofthe connector insertion to the operator.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 5, and 6, the inner recess of interior chamber 120and the outer elastic shell of cable connector 105 are molded in acomplementary fashion. In particular, as shown in FIG. 1, the bends onthe comers of the front side of interior chamber 120 provide twochannels for supporting the curved front side of encasing portions 175and 180. In addition, channel 190 of cable connector 105 provides acomplementary surface to the cylindrical outer surface of light pipe230. Also, the backside of both outer elastic shell 145 and interiorchamber 120 are flat.

In one embodiment of the invention, housing unit 115 is part of (i.e.,is encased in) a medical device. In this embodiment of the invention,conductors pass through the bottom of this housing unit to connect eachhoused conductive pin 215 to a power source of the medical device. In amore specific embodiment of the invention, housing unit 115 is part of(i.e., is encased in) a defibrillator. Some examples of such adefibrillator are disclosed in: U.S. patent application entitled“Defibrillator With Self-Test Features,” filed on May 10, 1994, andhaving the Ser. No. 08/240,272; and U.S. patent application entitled“Electrotherapy Method and Apparatus,” filed on Apr. 4, 1994, and havingthe Ser. No. 08/227,553. In this embodiment of the invention, conductorspass through the housing unit to connect housed conductive pins 215 tothe power source of the defibrillator.

B. Coupling Ring Embodiment

FIGS. 7-11 set forth another embodiment of the invention, which can beused as an electrode connector apparatus for all types ofdefibrillators. As shown in FIG. 7, medical connector apparatus 300includes (1) a cable connector 305 having two conductive rings, (2) ahoused connector 310 having two conductive rings for electricallycoupling to the two rings of the cable connector, and (3) a housing unit315 having an interior chamber 320 for housing connector 310.

1. Single Column Cable Connector

FIG. 8 sets forth one embodiment of cable connector 305. This cableconnector is configured to have an exterior surface that iscomplementary to the inner recess of interior chamber 320 of housingunit 315, so that, when this cable connector is inserted in the interiorchamber, its two conductive rings electrically couple to the twoconductive rings of the housed connector. As shown in FIG. 8, thisconnector includes two insulated electrical conductors 325, twoconductive rings 330, a top insulating member 335, a middle insulatingmember 340, a bottom insulating member 345, and a wiping member 350.

When medical connector apparatus 300 is used as a defibrillatorelectrode connector apparatus, electrical conductors 325 connect to twoelectrode pads (not shown). In addition, as shown in FIG. 8, one end ofeach electrical conductor 325 connects to one of the two conductiverings 330. For example, the inner conductive wires of electricalconductors 325 are soldered to conductive rings 330, in order toestablish an electrical connection between the rings and the electricalconductors.

As further shown in FIG. 8, conductive rings 330 then slide on hollowhubs 355 and 360, which extend from both ends of middle insulatingmember 340. This hollow middle member also includes hollow hub 365,which extends vertically from the top end of middle insulating member340. Hub 365 is concentric with hub 355, but has a smaller diameter thanthis hub. Moreover, hub 365 is inserted in the hollow bottom end of topinsulating member 335 in order to couple the top and middle members.

Furthermore, middle insulating member 340 connects to lower insulatingmember 345 by inserting plug 370 of the lower member into the cavity atthe center of hub 360. Lower insulating member 345 also connects towiping member 350 by inserting post 375 of the lower member into an openend of wiping member 350. The open end of wiping member 350 is made of aresilient material that (1) allows this end to expand when head 380 ofinserting post 375 enters the cavity at the wiping member's center, andthen (2) causes this end to contract towards neck 385 of inserting post375 to prevent head 380 from exiting the cavity.

The wiping member provides a wiping action which cleans interior chamber320, and thereby cleans housed connector 310, when the cable connectoris inserted into the interior chamber. In addition, each of theinsulating members 335, 340, and 345 is made of a plastic, such asthermoplastic polyester. These three insulating portions insulate thetwo conductive paths, each of which is formed by an electrical conductor325 and a conductive ring 330. For insulation purposes, insulatingmember 340 is half an inch long, in one embodiment of the invention.

2. The Housing Unit and Housed Ring Connectors

Medical connector apparatus 300 also includes a housing unit 315 thathouses, in an interior chamber 320, a housed connector 310. As shown inFIGS. 7 and 9, housed connector 310 includes (1) two conductive rings390, which are individually housed in two separated, insulting plates,so that only the inner portion of each ring is exposed in interiorchamber 320, and (2) two resilient contact members 445 coupled to theinterior surfaces of rings 390.

More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, housing unit 315 includesfive insulating plates 395, 400, 405, 410, 415, two coupling pins 420,two conductive rings 390, and two resilient contact members 445. Inaddition, each insulating plate has three apertures 425, 430, and 435.As set forth in FIG. 9, coupling pins 420 are inserted through allapertures 425 and 430, in order to connect all five insulating plates inthe manner shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. In one embodiment of the invention,the insulating plates are made of a thermoplastic material, such aspolyester or polycarbonate.

By stacking all five insulating plates, their apertures 435 collectivelyform the housing unit's interior chamber 320, into which single columncable connector 305 is inserted. In other words, apertures 435 of thefirst and fifth insulating plates 395 and 415 serve as two aperturesthat extend between interior chamber 320 and the exterior of the housingunit.

In turn, cable connector 305 is inserted into the interior chamberthrough aperture 435 of first insulating plate 395, in order toelectrically couple the conductive rings. Aperture 435 of the fifthinsulating plate 415, on the other hand, serves as an outlet forenvironmental residue from the interior chamber. Specifically, when thecable connector is inserted through the top aperture 435, environmentalresidue is forced out of the interior chamber through this outlet,because of the depression force created by the insertion of the cableconnector.

As mentioned before, the existence of two apertures also facilitates thecleaning of the interior chamber. In particular, the additional apertureallows an easy access for cleaning swabs, and allows an outlet forflushing fluids used during routine cleaning and maintenance operations.Furthermore, the two apertures are arranged such that liquids cannotaccumulate in the housing unit. In other words, irrespective of theorientation of the housing unit, liquids (such as blood, vomit, rain,etc.) drain out of the interior chamber through one of the outlets.

As further shown in FIG. 9, second and fourth insulating plates 400 and410 house the two conductive rings 390. These two conductive rings areinsulated (1) from each other by third insulating plate 405, and (2)from the environment outside of interior chamber 320 (e.g., from anoperator or a patient) by first and fifth insulating plates 395 and 415.For insulation purposes, the first, third, and fifth insulating platesare half an inch thick, in one embodiment of the invention.

Both the second and fourth insulating plates also have a channel 440defined on them. One conductor passes through each channel to connect onone of its ends to the exterior of a conductive ring, and to connect onits other end to a power source of the medical device. As shown in FIGS.7 and 9, each hollow ring 390 also connects at its interior surface to aconductive, resilient contact member 445. A resilient contact memberincludes a number of individual resilient contact arcs 450 which areinterconnected. One example of such a resilient contact member is soldunder the brand name Louvertac bands by AMP, Inc.

As shown in FIG. 11, in one embodiment of the invention, a resilientcontact member 445 couples to the interior surface of hollow ring 390 byinserting the two ends of each of its resilient contact arc 450 betweentwo lips 455 that are formed on the top and bottom surface of hollowring 390. After these ends are inserted between the two lips, theresilient nature of arcs 450 cause them to expand to engage the innersurface of the lips, which creates the frictional force necessary forcoupling contact member 445 to hollow ring 390.

Resilient contact members 445 establish the electrical coupling betweenthe two housed conductive rings 390 and the two cable connectorconductive rings 330. Specifically, when cable connector 305 is insertedinto interior chamber 320, connector conductive rings 330 contactresilient contact members 445. These resilient contact members then bendtowards rings 390, and thereby create space for conductive rings 330. Inaddition, as these contact members are conductive, and as these membersare connected at their ends to housed rings 390, contact members 445electrically couple the housed and connector rings.

In one embodiment of the invention, housing unit 315 is part of (i.e.,is encased in) a medical device. In a more specific embodiment of theinvention, housing unit 315 is part of (i.e., is encased in) adefibrillator. Some examples of such a defibrillator are disclosed in:U.S. patent application entitled “Defibrillator With Self-TestFeatures,” filed on May 10, 1994, and having the Ser. No. 08/240,272;and U.S. patent application entitled “Electrotherapy Method andApparatus,” filed on Apr. 4, 1994, and having the Ser. No. 08/227,553.In this embodiment of the invention, the conductors, that pass throughchannels 440 of second and fourth plates 400 and 410, connect housedconductive rings 390 to the power source of the defibrillator.

While the invention has been described with reference to numerousspecific details, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize thatthe invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departingfrom the spirit of the invention. For instance, although the inventionhas been described by reference to mating connectors that each have oneor two mating conductive portions, one of ordinary skill in the artwould realize that an alternative embodiment of the invention has matingconnectors that each have more than two mating conductive portions.

In addition, although medical connector apparatus 100 has been describedto have an interior chamber housing both housed pins, one of ordinaryskill in the art would recognize that an alternative embodiment of thisapparatus has two interior chambers, with each housing one conductivepin. Furthermore, one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate thatan alternative embodiment of medical connector apparatus 300 has ahoused light source that is covered by a light covering portion of cableconnector 305, when its conductive rings electrically couple with thehoused conductive rings.

Also, one of ordinary skill in the art would understand that, for oneembodiment of medical connector apparatus 300, the housing unit is notformed by stacking five discrete insulating plates, but rather isintegrally molded as a single insulating unit with the conductive ringsand connecting conductors. This integral unit is then mounted inside amedical device housing by using sealing means such as O-rings. Moreover,one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that, although theinvention has been described by reference to conductors 125 and 325which are insulated wires, alternative embodiments of the inventionutilize alternative conductors, such as flexible circuits. Therefore,one of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the invention isnot to be limited by the foregoing illustrative details, but rather isto be defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electrical medical connector apparatuscomprising: a housing unit and an electrical medical cable connector,the housing unit having an interior chamber, the housing unit forming asemi-cylindrical surface extending into the interior chamber, thehousing unit further comprising two housed electrical connectorstherein, and a front end having an aperture for receiving an electricalmedical cable connector and a bottom wall, the housing unit furtherhaving a second aperture which provides an outlet for environmentalresidue, wherein the electrical medical cable connector comprises, twoelectrical conductors electrically connected to two conductive socketswithin a shell of the electrical medical cable connector, wherein eachof the conductive electrical sockets of the cable connector areconnected to each of the electrical conductors; and a semi-cylindricalchannel formed in the shell adapted to slide over and surround thesemi-cylindrical surface of the housing unit when the cable connector isinserted to make electrical contact between the cable connector and thehousing unit.
 2. The electrical medical connector apparatus of claim 1wherein the cable connector further comprises a wiping portion adaptedto providing a wiping action to the housed electrical connectors.
 3. Anelectrical medical connector apparatus comprising: a housing unit and anelectrical medical cable connector, the housing unit having, an interiorchamber, the housing unit forming a semi-cylindrical surface extendinginto the interior chamber, two housed electrical connectors therein, afront end having an aperture for receiving an electrical medical cableconnector, and a bottom wall, and a second aperture which provides anoutlet for environmental residue; wherein the electrical medical cableconnector comprises, two electrical conductors electrically connected totwo conductive sockets within a shell of the electrical medical cableconnector, wherein each of the conductive electrical sockets of thecable connector are connected to each of the electrical conductors, anda semi-cylindrical channel formed in the shell adapted to slide over andsurround the semi-cylindrical surface of the housing unit when the cableconnector is inserted to make electrical contact between the cableconnector and the housing unit; and wherein the housing unit is formedfrom a rigid material and the cable connector is formed from a pliablematerial.
 4. An electrical medical connector apparatus comprising: ahousing unit and an electrical medical cable connector, the housing unithaving an interior chamber, the housing unit forming a semi-cylindricalsurface extending into the interior chamber, the housing unit furthercomprising two housed electrical connectors therein, and a front endhaving an aperture for receiving an electrical medical cable connectorand a bottom wall, the housing unit further having a second aperturewhich provides an outlet for environmental residue, wherein theelectrical medical cable connector comprises, two electrical conductorselectrically connected to two conductive sockets within a shell of theelectrical medical cable connector, wherein each of the conductiveelectrical sockets of the cable connector are connected to each of theelectrical conductors; and a semi-cylindrical channel formed in theshell adapted to slide over and surround the semi-cylindrical surface ofthe housing unit when the cable connector is inserted to make electricalcontact between the cable connector and the housing unit and furtherwherein expandable tubes in the shell surround each conductive socket.5. The electrical medical connector apparatus of claim 4 wherein thecable connector further comprises a wiping portion adapted to providinga wiping action to the housed electrical connectors.
 6. The electricalmedical connector apparatus of claim 4 wherein the housing unit isformed from a rigid material and the cable connector is formed from apliable material.